So this morning the embargo on the brand new Batman Arena tour has been lifted, so I can now talk about what I was up to in New York last week (hurray). Press trips are always fun and this one was possibly the best jaunts I’ve ever been on as not only did I get a extremely rare glimpse into the inner sanctum of DC Comics (they have a floor that looks like Gotham City and another done up as the Daily Planet) and also see how Americans celebrate Hallowe’en (THE best time of year don’t ya know) but I got the chance to interview the legendary Jim Lee and Geoff Johns, as well as the head honchos behind the whole thing.
I have to say, from the snippets we were shown in the conference room, the tour looks absolutely awesome and really inventive. I’ve written a large feature on this for tomorrow’s Belfast Telegraph and will post that up here later in the week. In the meantime here’s the press release for the show.
BATMAN LIVE
WORLDWIDE ARENA TOUR
WORLD PREMIERE JULY 2011
BELFAST & DUBLIN DATES CONFIRMED
Visually stunning live production to feature Batman and a host of iconic characters
and settings from the famed world of DC Comics
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), DC Entertainment and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions Ltd (WLP) announced today that BATMAN LIVE – a unique action-packed live show – will tour arenas for the first time ever across the UK and Europe, beginning in summer 2011 and arriving in North America by summer 2012.
Opening in Manchester on 20th July 2011 and visiting Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Nottingham, Dublin and Belfast, tickets for BATMAN LIVE go on sale on Friday 12th November 2010. BATMAN LIVE is a visually stunning production, complete with a brand new original storyline. The live show will feature Batman, his trusty counterpart Robin, tireless butler Alfred and a host of other favourite Batman characters, including Villains such as The Joker, The Riddler, Catwoman and The Penguin. The story will take place in several settings from the famed DC Comics stories, including Gotham City, Wayne Manor, the Batcave and Arkham Asylum.
“With the touring BATMAN LIVE show, we’re bringing Batman‘s adventures to live audiences for the very first time,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment. “The idea that we’re doing it with a production team this talented and with this much passion is thrilling.”
“When a character has as wide an audience and as rich a history as Batman, it’s truly exciting to see him introduced into an all-new storytelling medium,” says Jim Lee, Co-Publisher, DC Comics. “BATMAN LIVE will bring a completely new experience to fans of the character – it’s great to be able to give them something they haven’t seen before.”
“Batman is one of the most iconic and recognizable brands in the world,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “For the very first time, we are bringing the world of Batman to life in a live show. And the fact that we are doing it within arena-sized venues is sure to be a thrill for audiences of all ages.”
BATMAN LIVE, produced by Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions, will feature impressive stunts, pyrotechnics, illusions and video screen sequences. Totally authentic, bold and awe-inspiring, BATMAN LIVE will offer a completely new way to experience the world of Batman and will be a must-see for fans and families everywhere.
“BATMAN LIVE will be a totally unique experience. This is not a musical but a high quality live show with a thrilling Batman story, filled with action, that will appeal to adults, teenagers and families,” said Nick Grace. “Batman is more than a comic book character, he’s a cultural phenomenon and we are proud to have this opportunity to be involved with one of the most popular DC Super Heroes in the world today.”
BATMAN LIVE is based on an original story being created exclusively for the show. Creative Director is Anthony van Laast and Co-Director, James Powell. Set design by Es Devlin, music composed by James Brett, sound design by Simon Baker, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, video direction by Sam Pattinson, costume design by Jack Galloway. Circus sequences created, produced and managed in association with Circus Space with Bryan Donaldson and Juliette Hardy-Donaldson as circus consultants.
The world premiere of BATMAN LIVE will take place in the UK in summer 2011. Following the premiere, the show will then tour Europe, before opening in North America in summer 2012. Full tour dates will be released in November 2010.
For more information go to www.batmanlive.com
BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.
(s10)
BATMAN LIVE
UK & Ireland Tour Dates 2011
Wednesday 20th July Manchester Evening News Arena 7pm
Thursday 21st July Manchester Evening News Arena 7pm
Friday 22nd July Manchester Evening News Arena 7pm
Saturday 23rd July Manchester Evening News Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 24th July Manchester Evening News Arena 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 27th July Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 7pm
Thursday 28th July Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 7pm
Friday 29th July Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 7pm
Saturday 30th July Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 31st July Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 3rd August SECC, Glasgow 7pm
Thursday 4th August SECC, Glasgow 7pm
Friday 5th August SECC, Glasgow 7pm
Saturday 6th August SECC, Glasgow 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 7th August SECC, Glasgow 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 10th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 7pm
Thursday 11th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 7pm
Friday 12th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 7pm
Saturday 13th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 14th August Sheffield Motor Point Arena 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 17th August NIA, Birmingham 7pm
Thursday 18th August NIA, Birmingham 7pm
Friday 19th August NIA, Birmingham 7pm
Saturday 20th August NIA, Birmingham 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 21st August NIA, Birmingham 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 24th August London O2 Arena 7pm
Thursday 25th August London O2 Arena 7pm
Friday 26th August London O2 Arena 7pm
Saturday 27th August London O2 Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 28th August London O2 Arena 11am & 3pm
Monday 29th August London O2 Arena 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 31st August London O2 Arena 7pm
Thursday 1st September London O2 Arena 7pm
Friday 2nd September London O2 Arena 7pm
Saturday 3rd September London O2 Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 4th September London O2 Arena 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 7th September Liverpool Echo Arena 7pm
Thursday 8th September Liverpool Echo Arena 7pm
Friday 9th September Liverpool Echo Arena 7pm
Saturday 10th September Liverpool Echo Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 11th September Liverpool Echo Arena 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 14th September Nottingham Trent FM Arena 7pm
Thursday 15th September Nottingham Trent FM Arena 7pm
Friday 16th September Nottingham Trent FM Arena 7pm
Saturday 17th September Nottingham Trent FM Arena 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 18th September Nottingham Trent FM Arena 11am & 3pm
Wednesday 28th September Dublin O2 Arena 8pm
Thursday 29th September Dublin O2 Arena 8pm
Friday 30th September Dublin O2 Arena 8pm
Saturday 1st October Dublin O2 Arena 12am, 4pm & 8pm
Wednesday 5th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 8pm
Thursday 6th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 8pm
Friday 7th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 8pm
Saturday 8th October Belfast Odyssey Arena 12am, 4pm & 8pm
To book tickets for the UK (excluding Belfast), please contact the OFFICIAL NATIONAL TICKET SALES HOTLINE
– 0844 875 9000 or the relevant venue or for online bookings please visit www.ticketzone.co.uk
DUBLIN Ticket Prices: Wednesday 28th September– All tickets €30
Thursday 29th September – Saturday 1st October – €44.20, €33.60, €23
Limited Availability of Premium “Gotham” City” seats
To book tickets for Dublin, call 0818 719 300 or
for online bookings please visit http://www.ticketmaster.ie
BELFAST Ticket Prices: Wednesday 5th October – All tickets £25
Thursday 6th October – Saturday 8th October – £38, £33, £22.50
Limited Availability of Premium “Gotham” City” seats
To book tickets for Belfast, call the venue on 028 9073 9074 or
for online bookings please visit http://www.ticketmaster.ie
